Community services work is a diverse profession that covers over 50 occupations. A community worker is a qualified person who, through professional training and field education, has the knowledge, skills and values to work in a social welfare agency or program intended to promote or restore the social functioning of individuals, families, social groups or larger communities. Promoting and advocating for social justice and maximising human potential are cornerstones of community work.

In practice, community workers provide services, support, activities, information and referral for those in need of assistance. They do this by linking people with appropriate services, government departments, groups, communities and each other.

The Diploma of Community Services reflects the roles of community services, case management and social housing workers involved in the managing, coordinating and/or delivering of person-centred services to individuals, groups and communities. At this level, workers have specialised skills in community services and work autonomously under broad directions from senior management. Workers are usually providing direct support to individuals or groups of individuals. Workers may also have responsibility for the supervision of other workers and volunteers and/or case management; program coordination or the development of new business opportunities

Bedford College will deliver the community services course in partnership with BaptistCare (one of the largest and most well-respected community services providers in NSW and ACT) BaptistCare information. This partnership provides us with the unique opportunity to work with industry experts to gain first-hand knowledge of what is required of a community services worker; what knowledge, skills, attitude and attributes do our graduates need to possess in order to be a successful community services worker?

We firmly believe that our relationship with BaptistCare, along with our proven record of high-quality training, will assist Bedford community services graduates with the very best opportunity to gain meaningful employment in this sector.

Course Structure

The Community Services Diploma course consists of 16 subjects (units) which provide the theoretical and practical knowledge to enable you to efficiently carry out a range of tasks. After consultation and regular communication with our industry partners, the subjects have been carefully selected to ensure that we impart the skills and knowledge most relevant to employers and the community; thus providing you with the maximum opportunity for employment success.

The Community Services course is conducted on campus three days per week from 9am–3pm, one day per week in the Bedford Online Classroom and a minimum of 100 hours of practicum placement during the 40 week course. (A free Supervised Study Period from 3.00pm to 4.00pm is also offered from Monday to Thursday).

University Pathways

Students who successfully complete the Diploma of Community Services course have automatic entry (with ONE YEAR credit) into a university degree program. See University Pathways section for more information.

Our university partnerships are consistently increasing, please contact the College for the latest information.

Qualifications

The qualifications offered at Bedford are nationally recognised and align with the Australian Qualifications Framework.